Adams
County Soil & Water Conservation District
338
South 36th Street Quincy, IL 62301 Phone:
217/224-9305, Ext 3 E-mail:
acsw@adams.net
|
|
|
The following is a summary of the problems identified by the Planning Committee. You will see these statements associated with specific goals and action items throughout this plan. Problem Statement 1: Soil Erosion Sheet, rill and gully erosion on agricultural lands is responsible for increased sediment, nutrients and pesticides in streams as well as decreased soil quality and productivity. Causes are agricultural production practices. One-third of all cropland fields (approximately 75,000 acres) in the watershed have rill or gully erosion occurring. Problem Statement 2: Nutrients and Pesticides Over-application and the misuse of fertilizers and pesticides on both agricultural lands and on lawns can cause increased nitrogen, phosphorus and pesticide levels in streams, lakes and groundwater supplies. Problem Statement 3: Stream Bank Erosion Eroding stream banks along Bear Creek, its tributaries and streams draining directly into the Mississippi River (854 total stream miles) are responsible for increased sediment in streams, decreased water quality and impaired aquatic habitat. The causes are stream modifications (including channelization), increased runoff and stream flow velocities (due to agricultural production practices and removal of natural stream-side buffers) and natural causes like fallen trees. As of May, 2007, Adams County SWCD staff has responded to approximately 30 landowner requests for advice on bank erosion problems, and Hancock County has responded to two requests. Problem Statement 4: Livestock Waste Confined livestock waste and the improper land application of the waste has the potential to run off into streams, increasing nutrients and E. coli bacteria content, and decreasing the oxygen supply. A decreased oxygen supply has a negative effect on fish and other aquatic life. Unlimited grazing animal access to streams can also contribute to loss of aquatic habitat. More data is needed on acres receiving livestock waste application and the number of grazing animals with access to streams. Problem Statement 5: Invasive Species Invasive species degrade natural areas by shading and crowding out native species, poison the soil with allelopathic chemicals, and increase soil erosion by eliminating the herbaceous under story growth with its fibrous root systems. This increased soil erosion lowers the quality of the water and aquatic habitat in streams. Problem Statement 6: Human Waste Improperly functioning septic systems can contribute to E. coli bacteria above acceptable limits, decreased oxygen supply, and an increase in viruses and parasites in water bodies. Illegal dumping can restrict stream flow, pollute water, and is aesthetically unpleasant. Problem Statement 7: Timber Management Grazing by livestock in timber increases soil erosion potential and decreases timber production and wildlife habitat. Invasive species in wooded areas shade out native herbaceous plants therefore decreasing biodiversity and increasing the potential for erosion. Increased erosion lowers water quality and has a negative effect on aquatic habitat. Problem Statement 8: Urban Sprawl Urban development often means more impervious surfaces and increased runoff and sediment from construction sites. Both the increased runoff and sedimentation result in a loss of aquatic habitat. Urban residents and businesses often misapply or over apply lawn fertilizers and chemicals, which in turn decreases water quality. The disposal of leaves and grass clippings in urban streams can kill existing vegetation, and increase bank erosion. Yard waste in streams can cause water quality problems related to high nutrient levels and organic loadings, reducing the dissolved oxygen content of the water. Problem Statement 9: Pasture Management Overgrazing and unlimited livestock access to streams can be responsible for increased soil erosion, sediment, E. coli bacteria and turbidity in streams, and decreasing aquatic habitat. Lower forage quality, low or poor soil fertility and invasive species decrease profit. Keeping pasture land profitable is important. If it is not profitable, this marginal land could be converted to cropland and increase soil erosion rates. Problem Statement 10: Information/Education and Landowner Involvement Lack of good information on the conservation and wise use of natural resources is often the reason for many of the problems listed above. Providing sources of information, along with available technical and financial resources, will allow watershed residents to make wise decisions on their actions that affect water quality and natural resource conservation. Problem Statement 11: Wildlife Management The destruction of woodland edge habitat and agricultural production practices have caused a decline in upland game like quail and rabbit. These practices also increase soil erosion and decrease soil quality. The fluctuating duck population is a concern. Land clearing near streams and lakes is degrading the nesting habitat for wood ducks. Problem Statement 12: Wetland Management Agricultural production practices have decreased natural wetland areas. Wetland areas help filter pollutants and recharge groundwater reservoirs. Urban developments often have a negative impact on wetland habitats, and the resulting increased water runoff causes flooding problems.
Soil Erosion Recommendations Prioritize and target subwatershed(s) with the highest soil erosion losses from land within 500 feet of a stream. Recommended practices include terraces, water and sediment control basins, grassed waterways, grade stabilization structures, conversion of cropland to pasture, woodland or CRP, no-till and mulch-till, crop rotations with wheat and/or hay, and ponds, pasture management, invasive species control, and timber management. Promote the use of no-till production practices on all highly erodible cropland acres, and especially on acres coming out of CRP. Nutrients and Pesticides It is recommended to work with agricultural producers on cropland nutrient management plans. This can be done by targeting a subwatershed(s) with the highest N and P loading potentials (based on soil, slope and proximity to streams). It is also recommended to work with livestock producers on proper land application of livestock waste. Potential funding sources are the Illinois Conservation 2000 program and the USDA-EQIP. U of I Extension is a good source of both technical assistance and information/education on nutrient management and integrated pest management. Stream Bank Recommendations It is recommended that the planning committee request more information on stream bank erosion in the watershed. This information can be: ® Request that a Rapid Assessment, Point Method be done for stream bank erosion in the watershed. This would provide information that provides a reasonable estimate of erosion and sedimentation in the watershed. The planning committee could request that USDA-NRCS (through Roger Windhorn) or Midwest Streams utilize this method. Midwest Streams is a private firm, and there would be a fee associated with the assessment. ® Do a helicopter flight with video on Bear Creek from the Mississippi River bottoms to Carthage and the South Fork of Bear Creek to near Camp Point. A cost estimate as of May, 2007 would be $ 8,075.00 for the flight and video. Video post processing would be an estimated $ 8,900.00, with the total estimated cost being $ 17,000.00. This would not include any work done on analysis, ground truthing or GIS layers after post processing. Match funding may be available to assist with the costs. ® Utilize existing programs and research needed incentives for planting and maintaining existing buffer strips along streams. This would include buffer strips along the upper reaches of tributaries, not just in the 100 year floodplain. See the following floodplain map for areas suitable for buffer strips, based on flood-prone soils. Bank erosion control averages $ 25.00 per foot of bank protected. Based on estimate that for every 100 square miles of drainage area, there are two miles of eroding banks, the cost of stream bank protection in the Greater Bear Creek Watershed Area would be $ 1.5 million. This is a conservative estimate. The cost to install buffer strips is $ 160.00 per acre according to USDA – FSA costs for the continuous Conservation Reserve Program. Figure 11 shows areas suitable for filter strips and buffer strips. ® Emphasize the importance of removing fallen trees. This could be done through an information/education program and the development of an incentive program. ® Limit livestock access to streams by working with producers and providing the needed incentives. Livestock Wastes It is recommended that the U of I Extension provide information/education/training opportunities for livestock producers on pasture management and livestock waste management. Needs are in the proper storage and application of livestock wastes and controlling livestock access to streams and wooded acres. The USDA-EQIP program can help with financial assistance. More information is needed on the number of beef cow/calf operations that have access to streams and graze wooded acres. There is a need for a means of the proper disposal of cattle and horses. A rendering company currently picks up animals for disposal, but not always in a timely manner. There is also concern of the spreading of disease when dead animals are picked up at the farm. Invasive Species Recommendations Landowner awareness should be raised about the non-native and invasive species in the watershed and whether or not any exist on their property. Educational resources may need to be developed to help raise awareness about Honeysuckle, Autumn Olive, Canadian Thistle, Poison Hemlock, and Garlic Mustard problems in the watershed. State and local officials need roadside weed control options that will not encourage invasive species.
Human Waste Recommendations Adams County does operate a recycle program that rotates through the four county school districts that allows people to get rid of their recyclable material. It is hoped that we can educate people so they will want do the right thing to get rid of the recyclable material and trash. A part of the education program needs is a new brochure for the Adams County recycling program. Continue to seek funding for and offer hazardous household hazardous waste collections, used tire collections, and hazardous waste collections for agricultural producers as needed. Programs for the disposal of electronics and compact fluorescent light bulbs are needed. Encourage volunteer organization participation in the Adopt-A-Highway program. Septic System Recommendations
Encourage lenders to require septic system inspections for home mortgages. Timber Recommendations There have been some gains made in forest land the Greater Bear Creek Area Watershed through tree planting and natural regeneration, but we continue to loose it in other areas. The use of bulldozers to clear timber for crop production is still occurring in some areas of the watershed. Urban sprawl is causing fragmentation of our woodlands and is resulting in substantial loss of forest land. There is a definite need for increased tree planting efforts here especially along the riparian areas of Bear Creek. There is also a great need to properly manage the forest land that occurs in the watershed. Make known the income potential from properly maintained and harvested forest acres. Cost shares should be provided for the preparation of forest management plans and for timber stand improvement. These cost shares would provide landowners monetary assistance to hire consulting foresters to assist them. Work to obtain needed technical assistance, whether it be a public or private forester. Urban Recommendations The following are recommendations that may address resource concerns:
®
Work to educate contractors on
erosion control and water runoff management Pasture Recommendations
®
Encourage producers to use
(start) a Management Intensive Grazing system (rotational grazing).
Information/Education
Recommendations Many recommendations related to providing information and education opportunities for watershed stakeholders are listed by resource concern. On a watershed-wide basis, general information needs to be presented on what a watershed plan can do. In order to raise awareness among local citizens and landowners, the following could be implemented:
®
Hold a Watershed Awareness Day.
Involve local schools and set up information stations similar to the Ag and
Conservation Day that was held at the Orr Center. Include information septic
system models, recycling information, watershed models, etc. Wildlife Recommendations Habitat restoration recommendations: Habitat restoration efforts are still most importantly needed for the upland game species - rabbits, quail, and pheasants. Increasing the quantities of undisturbed quality nesting cover and shrub field edges can have very positive effects on these species. Financial incentives and cost-share practices can provide very beneficial habitat improvements, and in turn, increase wildlife populations. Recommended practices and benefited wildlife species are listed below in priority order:
Future Management Conditions: Wildlife populations will certainly react to the continued changes in habitat conditions. Continued destruction of woodland edge and additional removal of brushy fencerows will result in further declines in rabbit and especially quail populations. Continued disturbance of grassy cover during peak nesting seasons for the ground-nesting birds (quail, pheasant, meadow lark, etc.) during May through July will also have detrimental results to these populations. Encourage delaying mowing of grassy areas until after the first part of August. Widespread establishment of the CRP, CP-33 practice has the potential to provide tremendous nesting and brood cover for the upland game species, which could reverse the downward population trends. With proper forest management and continued regulated hunting, deer, turkey, and squirrel populations should thrive. Agricultural land clearing near streams and lakes will continue to degrade nesting habitat for wood ducks. Wetland Recommendations Encourage use of CRP, the USFWS Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, the IDNR Landowner Incentive Program and the Wetland Reserve Program to develop and protect wetlands. Emphasize the value of wetlands.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Water Quality 
Soil
Erosion & Sedimentation 
Healthy
Vegetation 
Information/Education
